I enjoy a number of crafts from beading jewelry, sewing, crochet, knitting through to card making. I have dabbled in digital scrapbooking but I have not yet worked on the paper kind....give me time!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Scrapbook paper storage solutions...

Man, I have spent two days "googling" for a stacking system to store my paper. Thanks to Michael's "3 for 1" sales I have quite a selection and running out of room. There are no shortage of ideas and products except for two things: 1) The price is outrageous or, 2) The shipping charges to Canada are more than the product.

I came across a blog and, with Emilie's permission, I am posting the blog and putting a link under "My Blog List" to her website. Thanks Emilie, both for the permission and the incredible idea. Trust me, I will be shopping in the next day or two for the wire cubes. However, this is Canada and not everything makes it across the border!

Here's a tutorial I posted over at Craft Critique and thought I would share with you fabulous blog readers as well. Let me know what you think!

If you're a scrapbooker you know about 'Scrap Spaces'. You've seen the scrap rooms of the Scrap Celebs. In magazines, online, on blogs...these amazing rooms with custom built-in shelves for each little brad and eyelet. Skylights. Endless work space. Cute little inspirations.

I love seeing these rooms, but they are far from my reality. With two kids and a husband in Masters school, I spent my nights scrapping in a dimly lit, damp and cold, unfinished basement (read: Dungeon) and my scrap storage consisted of whatever I could find on the cheap and make work! Then I stumbled onto this fantastic paper storage solution that improved my organization by leaps and bounds! This is a great solution for anyone....not just the starving college student!

By slightly modifying white wire storage grids you can create a personalized paper storage system which will hold any amount of 12x12 papers in an efficient and very organized way. And it's wicked cheap. I'll go through the steps of making your own here.

1. Start by throwing out the weird little white plastic clips that come with the cubes. You won't be needing these.

2. Build a basic cube (leaving one side open as shown above) by attaching the grids together using your zip ties. Make sure the little square nubbies are facing towards the outside of your cube so they don't catch on the paper. (photo below)

3. Next take the remaining white shelves and slide them into your cube and attaching them at 1 inch intervals where the grid already exists. If you need a larger slot for some paper sets just make it a 2 or 3 inch interval instead.

Make sure when you slide a shelf in that the wire grids are on the underside so that you get a slight lip on your paper tray. (photo below)

4. Use your wire clippers to remove excess plastic end from zip ties.

Fill with paper sorting by color, manufacturer or whatever makes you happy! Voila! Isn't it genius?!! I made 3 separate cubes out of 2 boxes of these grids and had some grid pieces leftover. I have even given these cubes as gifts to fellow scrapbookers with rave reviews!

Pros:

Inexpensive

Customizable to include large and small shelf heights

Cons:

May be hard to see certain papers since there is no graduation.

At just around $30 for two boxes of these I think they are a steal! And a great solution for organizing a craft area on a budget. I would love to know your thoughts!

108 comments:

We do not have a Target in Canada, BUT I did find the wire cubes at Canadian Tire. They were a four-cube system consisting of 16 sides per case and I bought 2 cases @ $24.99 each. It takes 25 sides (according to the instructions above) to make one paper storage unit. This way I can make the paper storage system PLUS, a cube on the top for some bulk paper items I have.

i was in the same boat as you were... i have been surching the google for cheaper paper racks or even mail sorters. but just cant get over the price :-O thank you soooo much!!!! the cube idea is great! i think i'm going to put a silverware sorter from the dollor store for my pens amd stuff!

One of our local scrapbooking stores gave me some 12x12 cardboard supports that paper is shipped with and I put this on the shelf first to support my stacks...works like a charm. I have never had bent or wrecked corners on any of my paper stored on the rack.

Thank you for sharing. I was just going to buy one on line but couldn't because they are out of stock. When I was searching for another option I found your post and I couldn't have been happier. I figured I could do it myself but didn't know what items to buy. I am currently putting them together. This diy idea is perfect for people like me who are looking for ways to save $.

This is awesome... we've been looking and looking for a paper storage unit. We actually have all the stuff already and have just been in storage. Wonderful idea that will cost us $0... what could be better... Thanks SO MUCH!!!

Cat! You rock!! I was searching Google to figure out how to use those stupid clips that came with my wire shelves. I was already using my cable ties, when I saw your page... BUT I never thought of using them for paper storage! Brilliant! I'm an artist and had spent ages looking up options online for storing my work-in-progress collages. Options were so big and expensive! Turns out I had the answer all along. Yay, you! Thank you for this post.

I just found these instructions and wanted to say thanks! I bought a cube system at Target for $17.49 and purchased a big container of zip ties (couldn't find just a pack) for $5.49. I made three paper cubes out of the one cube system! No way ANY of the pre-made storage drawers/containers would've been as cheap. Thanks very much!

Ditto what everyone else has said! My DH jut finished a beautiful craftroom for me. I am trying to find just the perfect place for all my things, and have not found a home for my 12x12 paper yet. Your idea is just perfect, as I can slide a single cube into one of my many new cupboards. THANKS AGAIN! Oh. And I found the wire grid at Walmart here in Ontario, Canada at just under $20 for 13 squares.

Great idea. I found these for 13.99 at Target and have made them up but slanted the shelves. I tried it first using twist ties in case it didn't work and will now replace with the plastic ties. Thanks!!!!

Don't throw out the circles!! Give them to a teacher. The kids break them or they tend to disappear. I'd love to get more!! I've used super glue on some of the circles and they've lasted for 2yrs. I'm sure going to try the zip ties!!

Don't forget the resale stores, such as Goodwill, to look for these grids. I just purchased 58 pieces of grid for $7.50. It was a fabulous find for me on a fixed income. Hope everyone enjoys their new storage units. I do mine!

I di the exact same thing, a while back,, instead of zip ties, I used strips of hoop n loop tape, it was intended to use to stake a plant to a support. its reusable, and there's no little "nib" to get in the way.

Just bought a 6-cube wire set at Target - reg. $24.99 for 19.99. I thought it was a good buy - and guessing with all of us wanting them, prices went up over the past few years. I'll search resale shops now for more! Love this idea!

Thanks, I have prob abt 40 racks and no connectors. Went on line those connectors are 54 cents each. Try selling those that come with the shelves to others on etsy on etsey for 25 cents for those that want the original size cubes and do this with the shelves. Now all I need are the zip ties. Excuse me while I run to the Hardware store

Can't wait to make this...it is going to help me so much in my tiny craft room. I can keep some of each of my colors out where they are easily accesible & the others can go on the shelf outside my room ....I am really excited over this! Thank you so much!

THANKS so much for posting! I had 'leftover' racks from the craft paint racks made from another Pinterest post. So glad I didn't 'gift' them to someone else. I don't use a lot of paper racks so now I'll have storage for paper too.

I too like many of you searched all over for a inexpensive paper rack. This tip came just in time for me. I am redoing my craft room and just took down a 12 cube ensemble and now going to make this rack with them. I was thinking.....you stated it may be hard to see the paper colors due to no graduating shelves......do you think if you put the shelves in on a slant then tie them to the back this would work? The only difference is you would need to leave the top piece off due to spacing of top shelf. So all you do then is add another 3 sided piece and continue with slanted shelves. Give me your thoughts. ty

This idea is fantastic, I live in Australia, we don't have walmart, and our Kmart or Target doesn't have these, well not the ones I've looked in, if anyone has seen them here somewhere, can you let me know ta, I'm doing up my craftroom, and of course, as us crafters kno, we love to look after our papers, so love this idea. Ta Tina :)

I used a milk crate style as box and put those grid inside as shelf tying it with cable ties ...works perfect for a 12x12 coloredAnd designed papers for scrapbooking and making greetings cards.I found those grid in my sons college junks in our garage and wow it looks great .....love it....cost me nothing but serves thePurpose.Victoria

Thank you sew much for this. I am looking for something to store my Accuquilt dies in and this will be perfect, thankful to find we can get these in Canada. I figured you were in the U.S. But no you are in the Interior. Hope your cruise was wonderful and you are feeling a bit better. If by any chance you have a product number that would really be appreciated. Mary, from Nova Scotia

Brilliant idea. I would just like to say when you cut the tie wraps; be sure to cut them flush. If you don't; they are extremely sharp & can slice you like a razor. I realize they're cut to the outside but if you need to reach along side & catch your hand/arm on one you'll have a pretty nasty cut. Hurts like the dickens. Hope this saves many bandaids & ouches.

I didnt have time to read all of the comments so this might be old news already but Dollarama often has packages of these grids for $3CDN. Which is like 17 cents American or something like that.��

Other places where I have had luck at are: clothing stores(most retail stores), liquidation/estate sales,going out of business sales, Craigslist, Kijiji, Thrift Stores, Schools, Community Centres, Staples.

Amazing idea!!! I found these grids at a Habitat for Humanity Restore. If you haven't discovered this resource Google it. Outrageous deals. I think I got mine for 4 for 1.00. Not sure if in Canada but are all around the states. Some locations are better than others but worth checking out for sure!!

Not a scrapbooker, but looking for an idea for granddaughters to store their art paper, craft paper, and cardstock, and keep it neat. Love this idea. Going to check at ReStore first before buying. Again, thanks.

If you have some grids left over and you paint, try making a rack to hold your craft/art paints. Very small price to display ALL your paint colors. I can't take credit for this idea, but it's another genius pin. No more buying colors you already have. Plus, if you arrange the paints like a rainbow, it's a thing of beauty!